SOCIABLE STROLLS FOR SLOWER COACHES!

Welcome to The Northampton Shamblers web site.  The 2011 walking programme is now finalised - please follow this link to the  2012 programme.  Please also take a moment to about  the Club's philosophy and why "The Shamblers" was formed.

Enjoy walking but want to do this at a leisurely pace?  Fed up with walking groups that want to "beat the clock" over the distance of the walk? Or maybe you are new to walking and fear that you won't be able to "keep up" with experienced walkers?

Then come and join 

Our principles are:

Our walks

• Walks to be no more than 5 miles (8 kilometers) within Northamptonshire (with occasional limited forays into Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire).
• All walks to be completed in a morning or evening so that members can fit in other activities into their busy lives.
• Walking speed of about 2.5-3 miles per hour (fast walkers - this Club is not for you!).
• Walking will be undertaken as a social group - we will wait until the slowest person has climbed over a stile to ensure that he/she is safe.
• All walks will be circular and will start and finish at a pub where further socialisation can take place at the end of the walk and to support the publican whose car park we have used.

During the walk:

• Stops will be made to admire the view, to view the flora and fauna and to observe birds and other wildlife - sharing knowledge about objects seen will be encouraged; use of mobile phones will not.
• Northamptonshire has the most attractive countryside and villages in England with few steep hills.  Fortunately, this is a secret that its inhabitants have kept to themselves.  Information about the countryside, the history of Northamptonshire villages will also be welcomed.
• Pleasant company with a sense of humour essential
• Dogs welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times.

We normally meet on the third Sunday morning of every month (except July which clashes with Father's Day so we meet on the second Sunday and take a coach trip out of county) and during the Summer, the first Thursday evening once a month.  Annual Membership is £5 which covers administration, affiliation to The Ramblers and insurance.  If you would like to "try us out" for one walk, the cost will be £1 but we hope that you will want to join us for the rest of our Shambles.    If you do, our Membership Form is here. 

If you are interested, then either come along to our next walk or contact the Secretary, Mrs Peta Jellis by email secretary@northamptonshireshamblers.org.uk

Come along to join us - we are a friendly bunch of people.  

	2012 Programme
	Other Northamptonshire Walking Clubs

If you are new to walking, please take a moment to read some good advice about suitable walking attire from The Ramblers site.     Everyone taking part in The Shamblers walks will be expected to be dressed appropriately for their own safety; individuals who are not will not be allowed on the walk.  Individuals are personally responsible to cross and walk on roads safely.

If the weather is particularly unsociable (ie deep snow, ice, storms and tempests) please check with the organiser beforehand that the walk will still take place.  The object of The Shamblers is to enjoy the walk - not to make it an endurance test!

PLACES VISITED IN PAST YEARS

2012 got off to an excellent start with the first two walks in brilliant sunshine - in fact, it was hot!  The picture below was taken during the February walk around Titchmarsh Nature Reserve. 

Two forays outside the county took place in 2011 - one to Leicestershire and the other to Bedfordshire.  The March walk was around Foxton Locks on a lovely spring morning.  Thank you to Jane Blackford for caputuring the outing below:

"AWAY DAYS"  

The Shamblers has had 3 "Away Days" when we hired a coach to take us to the seaside for a walk.  In 2011, we walked from Sheringham Park into Sheringham town and the picture below shows a brief stop to admire the Poppy Line Train - our lips are sealed about the number of walkers who opted to take the train into Sheringham after a shorter walk!

Our first outing was to Norfolk on a damp Sunday morning in June 2009.  A group of 43 walkers ventured along the sands from Wells-next-the-Sea up through the deer park taking in the sights of Holkham Hall.   After lunch - cafeteria or picnic - (yes it did stop raining long enough!) some toured the house and museum etc, then made their way back to Wells in various ways at different times in ever worsening weather.   Welcome cups of tea and coffee and fish and chips awaited us back in Wells and we all met up at the agreed time to come home.  Each of us agreed you don’t always need sunshine to enjoy a good walk and the companionship that the Club provides and everyone looks forward to a similar trip next year.  In 2010 there was a coach trip to Southwold.

The picture below was taken in January 2009 at Top Lodge Wood by Colin Gilks.

Our first walk for 2008 had a very spooky feeling to it - through a tunnel on the Brampton Valley Railway.  The picture below shows the group mustering prior to entry, getting torches ready.

The picture below was taken in December 2007 over a newly-provided style near Little Brington.  We enjoyed a nice lunch at Ye Olde Saracans Head afterwards. 

Logo and other graphics downloaded from http://www.grsites.com